My Genealogy Hound

John E. Palmer was born in Jefferson County, Mo., November 28, 1827, and is a son of Samuel and Susan (Weidman) Palmer. Of German parents, the father was born in Pennsylvania, and when eighteen immigrated to Jefferson County, Mo., where he married and farmed a number of years. He then went to Lamar County, Tex., and two years later went to Anderson County, where in died in 1867. The mother was born in Jefferson County, Mo., and had thirteen children, five now living, viz.: Catherine, wife of Henry Snow; John; Levin, of Anderson County, Tex.; Napoleon, of Brown County, Tex.; and Sarah, of Anderson County. Mary, Samuel, Jane, and five smaller ones died. The paternal grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania, and there died. The maternal grandfather was an early settler of Jefferson County, Mo., and lived six miles west of Hillsboro. Our subject lived in his native county until fourteen, and as his father’s attention was given to his mill, John was obliged to work a great deal upon the farm, but in leisure attended school. After becoming fourteen, he lived in Lamar County, Tex., two years, and then engaged in tanning and farming in Anderson County until the war. He then enlisted in Company I, Texas Infantry, for eight months, and afterward served two years and four months, or until the surrender at Hempstead, Tex., in 1865. Among others he was in the battle of Prairie Grove and Elk Creek, and while on picket duty at Fayetteville went three days without food. Returning to Texas, he settled in Lamar County, and then immigrated to Crawford County, where he has since lived. He has 160 acres of land, and has cultivated fifty acres. In 1848 he married Sarah Rooker, a native of Illinois, and daughter of Ransom Rooker. This marriage resulted in three children, two now living, Elizabeth and Ransom. After his first wife’s death, Mr. Palmer was married, in 1872, to Polly Fears, of this county, who has borne him six children: Clarissa, Flora, Stella, Tommie, Frank, and an infant who died unnamed. Mr. Palmer is a Republican and member of the Agricultural Wheel. Himself and wife belong to the Northern Methodist Church.